China to work closely with Kenya for stability in the Horn of Africa

China is looking forward to working closely with Kenya to realize stability in the Horn of Africa region, a Chinese official said.

Xue Bing, the Chinese special envoy for the Horn of Africa, commended Kenya for its continued role in fostering peace and stability in the region.

“Kenya is a powerhouse in the Horn of Africa in terms of peace and security. We appreciate the important role Kenya has continued to play in this endeavor,” Xue said.

Xue, who paid a courtesy call to the State House in Nairobi, said China has come up with a proposal to hold a conference that will bring together all countries in the region to discuss peace and development.

The conference, to be held in the first half of the year, is expected to offer a platform for countries in the region to settle their differences through negotiation.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta assured Xue of Kenya’s readiness to work with China and other stakeholders in support of regional peace and prosperity.

“You can count on us as dependable allies and partners in the efforts to bring peace, stability and prosperity in the region. We are doing this because we know a peaceful and stable Horn of Africa region means a peaceful and stable Kenya,” Kenyatta said.

They called on parties involved in conflicts in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia to embrace dialogue as the best way of resolving their differences.

They also applauded the enhanced bilateral ties between Kenya and China that have seen the two countries strengthen their cooperation both at the bilateral and multilateral levels for the benefit of their citizens.